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E. A. SPOFFORD : 1848 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT ALMANAC AND JOURNAL CATCHALL OF A GLOUCESTER MASSACHUSETTS FISHERMAN

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is a captivating small notebook with entries dating in 1847 and 1848. It appears to have been written by E.A. Spofford as this name appears several times in the booklet. The Spofford family was prominent in the early history of Essex County and Gloucester MA. It contains notes, doodles and music scores. Measuring 7 in by 4 in, this little paper volume is in good shape. Although the entries are few, they record that Spofford was a fisherman, likely working out of Gloucester MA. "This day commencing with a fair wind but very light; run up to the Seal Is. Line and hove to for mackerel and found none and from there we run W(est) until night and then it come on night with rain. Squally and we heaving to under two reefs for [ ] And so ends this day and night" [Sept 25, 1848] "…this day commencing with a fresh breeze from the N(orth) and we run from Thatchers Island 15 or 20 miles and hove to an(d) then bore away and run into Gloucester so ends this day" [Sept 26, 1848] …"this day commencing with a fine breeze from the SW(south west) we stood of(f) [ ] to Middle Bank, so ends this twenty four hours." [Sept 27, 1848]. There are several verses or poems on some pages and 7 pages of music score (5 identified). This is a fascinating little booklet that gives a tantalizing peek into the life of a mid-19th century Gloucester fisherman. A lovely little historical gem for a historian or someone researching the early fishing industry of Gloucester MA, a very important US fishing port on the Atlantic coast.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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